It has been a bit since we've last checked in here. And so it goes when lots of time elapses...life tends to take place and we find ourselves in the present. This time life has brought some pretty big news our way folks... WE GOT APPROVED ON THE FARM!!! Holy moly! So yes, officially approved and scheduled for closing sometime next week. Thank you to the moon and back for the positive thoughts and continued fingers crossed. There have been lots and lots and lots of extra smiles these past few days as we start to realize that dreams are becoming reality. Slowly but surely.
How truly amazing that is to feel.
This is how Mom & Dad celebrate. Cold brew & dinner outside!
Jasper celebrates by trying to shove milkweed into his mouth.
Either way you slice it, the Sol Food family is feeling pretty damn grateful.
We'll be sure to keep you posted as we progress but for now its back to the good stuff...the food!
Oh the deliciously farm fresh meals that have been gracing our tables these last weeks. I have to take a second here to give a shout out to Heron Pond Farm of South Hampton, NH. Each Saturday morning our little family makes the drive over to the farm stand to gather our harvest for the week. The sights and smells make me long to dig in the dirt, family by my side, letting morning run into night. I find myself lingering far past when our goods have been bagged just to take it all in before making the journey back home.
We were pretty choosy when investing in our CSA...lots of hours were spent researching different options which led to many a conversation which led back to the ever so present, "Won't it be amazing when we can have gardens of our own?" banter which eventually led us to the decision to move forward with Heron Pond. Unlike many of the other choices out there, you actually feel like you are a part of the decision as to what makes it to your table, what nutrients fuels your family that week. It is not so choosy however, that you are able to walk in and pack your bag full of broccoli or potatoes because that is all you feel comfortable with. There is this exciting part of it all that forces you to get creative, to step outside your comfort zone just enough to discover the amazingly fresh, straight out the dirt food that's out there. Any of you reading who've known me for some time know how truly picky of an eater I have spent the majority of my life being. In fact, I think its safe to say that I actually have an honest fear of trying new food in public. What if I gag? Have to spit it out? Start sweating? To think that I am marrying a man who would get excited about eating frog legs or cow balls or whatever other ungodly creations there are out there... that matched with his immense passion for making me take "just a little bite babe," is almost too much. Oh, the irony. Again why I believe that it is all truly about well, balance.
This week's stranger to me vegetable was Swiss Chard. This beautiful, nutrient packed veggie had never crossed these lips until last week. Being the non-leafy green lover (not hater, just not lover) and timid food trier that I am, I knew that my first experience with this leafy green needed to be paired with a companion. So I went directly to, what else, Pinterest to search for the perfect recipe to try. Those of you who have no idea about Pinterest, stay away. Stay far away. It is like shopping without the bill. Straight up addiction in full swing.
Moving on. When searching for a recipe, the type A in me doesn't allow for settling on a dish that simply works. Oh no, it is an endless quest until I get that giddy feeling that shoots me right into the kitchen type of thing. That feeling that has me saying, if I have to juggle this baby with my nose and pinky finger, I will get this meal made. On this search, that feeling was found in a Carmelized Onion and Swiss Chard Quiche. Perfection.
Nervous at first because of the strong smell (not bad, just strong) of the Chard, I thought I was doomed from the getgo.
However, as these lush greens started to break down a bit in the pan, the bitterness seemed to fade and we were officially in business now folks.
Next up, the whisking of farm fresh eggs. Thanks again Bob for this beautiful bunch! For those of you who don't know Bob, what a gem! Easily mistaken for Santa Clause himself, Bob is a farmer who neighbors our booth at most of the markets. Such a sweet soul and fiesty pistol all in the same breath. Again, with the balance.
Finally, it was time to marry all of these lovely flavors together and fill the crust...but not without adding a little sharp cheddar just to take things up a notch.
I fell in love long before even tasting thanks to the sweet and savory smells filling the kitchen.
In fact, this little quiche was such a hit at home, we decided to make a few extra to bring along to the markets. They didn't last long. I think there will be future Sol Food quiches to come. What are your favorite quiche pairings? Do share...
